June 23, 1928 – September 19, 2021

It is with great sadness that Ruth’s family announces her passing at Covenant Care Villa Marie on Sunday at the age of 93 years.  She was born in Red Deer, Alberta to Albert and Alice Hockin and attended school at St. Patrick’s, Satinwood and Cumberland.  Ruth worked at various restaurants in Red Deer and married Grant Franklin Miller in 1945. They lived in several locations where Grant worked as an autobody mechanic.  About 1950 they moved from B.C. to the Brookfield district with their two small daughters and later welcomed a third.  Grant and Ruth farmed in the Red Deer River valley for almost thirty years until Grant’s passing in 1980.  They raised Black Angus cattle, enjoyed working with horses and farmed cereal and hay crops.  It was a labour-intensive lifestyle, but very rewarding.  They had an active social life in the community enjoying curling, playing cards and attending the local dances.  Ruth moved into Red Deer in 1986 and continued being very active in sports such as bowling, trail-riding, curling, square dancing and of course playing cards.  She also travelled extensively throughout the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and England.  Ruth re-married in 1996, to Frank Xavier Deschner.  Frank and Ruth liked to attend the local rodeos and continued to travel to Eastern Canada, BC and Saskatchewan and many points in the USA as well as Australia, one of their favorite places.  Frank moved to the Bethany Care Centre in 2008 and Ruth moved into Parkvale Lodge the following year.  She joined and lead many of the activities there for the next 9 years.  Frank passed away in 2014 and in 2018 Ruth moved to Villa Marie where she lived until her passing.

Ruth was an outgoing, vibrant individual and made many friends.  She will be missed by all who knew her.  Ruth will be lovingly remembered by her children Millie (Al) Watson, Wanda (Murray) Mehling and Linda (Kerry) Hebert; her eight grandchildren, Dawn Watson, Julianna (Myles) MacPherson, Jackie Watson, Kelly Copland, Paddy Copland, Vicky (John) Sahlin, Vince (Jen) Hebert, Jackie (Greg) McPherson; fourteen great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.  There will be a private family graveside service on a future date.  In leu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Haynes Community Society or Covenant Care Villa Marie, in her memory.

Haynes Community Society                              Covenant Care Villa Marie

Box 24, Site 3, RR 2                                             10 Carrington Drive

Lacombe, AB  T4L 2N2                                       Red Deer, AB  T4P 0S3

• Date : 2021-09-19
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home